Treating and Avoiding Hockey Injuries with Physical Therapy

Hockey isn’t just a sport—it’s a collision course on ice. While the fans watch for the fights, slams, and board battles, players know the real enemies often come from within: groin strains, hip impingements, and deep contusions.

If you want to stay off the bench and on the ice, you need a strategy that goes beyond just “toughing it out.”

Physiotherapy in hockey isn’t just about fixing what’s broken; it is the ultimate cheat code for preparing your body for the intensity of the game. Research from the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy confirms that with the right plan, therapy is highly effective at rehabbing athletes and getting them back to play safely.

Whether you are skating out of NE Minneapolis or Coon Rapids, seeing one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy is the fastest way to elevate your game.

Here are three core ways a hockey physical therapist can change your season.

1. Bulletproof Your Body (Injury Prevention)

You can’t always stop a blindside hit, but you can prep your body to absorb the shock. A dedicated physical therapist for hockey players understands the biomechanics of skating—the torque on the hips and the explosive power required from the legs.

We focus on preventative strategies that not only protect you but improve your stats:

• Functional Mobility: Unlocking the hips for deeper strides.

• Targeted Strength: Fortifying the supporting muscles that usually fail and cause pain.

• Endurance: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) tailored specifically for on-ice stamina.

2. Smarter “Hockey Rehab” for Current Injuries

If you are currently sidelined, your tissues need to heal correctly. Ignoring an injury or treating it generically can lead to reduced range of motion and a permanent drop in performance.

This is where specialized hockey rehab comes in. An expert—like the team here at PRO Therapy—understands the unique toll the sport takes on the body. We don’t just want to get you “out of pain”; we want to get you back to the player you were before the injury.

Our treatment plans are aggressive and effective, utilizing:

• Dry needling

• Joint mobilization and manipulation

• Soft tissue treatment

• Mobility exercises to balance recovery with strengthening

3. Post-Game Recovery & Maintenance

The final piece of the puzzle is what happens after the buzzer sounds. A skilled hockey therapist knows that recovery is where the gains happen. Luckily we have several of them right here at our physical therapy clinics in Minneapolis.

Whether you come into our facility or follow a customized plan at home, post-performance care is critical for preventing those nagging aches from turning into season-ending injuries. We utilize tools like post-performance dry needling, myofascial decompression (cupping), and guided mobility work to flush out soreness and get you ready for the next practice.

Level Up with PRO Therapy

Physiotherapy in hockey is the secret weapon for players at all levels to keep their bodies in top shape. But the key is partnering with a team that truly knows the sport.

At PRO Therapy, our number one goal is to keep you healthy, active, and competitive. We can identify missteps in your movement form before they become injuries, saving you months of potential rehabilitation.

Unsure if a physical therapist for hockey players is what you need? If you want to know how we can add value to your game, or if you’ve tried therapy elsewhere with poor results, we want to help.

We offer a Free Discovery Visit at our NE Minneapolis and Coon Rapids locations. Come in, see the facility, meet with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and get your questions answered—no strings attached.